Gaming machine

ABSTRACT

A gaming machine of the present invention has: a body supported by an outer frame to be attached to a game machine island in a game arcade, provided with a predetermined mechanism necessary to execute a game, and formed integrally with a speaker enclosure having an opening and enclosing a speaker; and a lid covering the opening. The lid is fit to the speaker enclosure, thereby forming a speaker enclosing box.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromthe prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-045268, filed on Feb. 22,2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gaming machine having a speaker and,more particularly, to a speaker enclosing structure.

2. Description of Related Art

Hitherto, a gaming machine having a speaker on a front door is known asdescribed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-180959.

The gaming machine described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-OpenNo. 2003-180959 includes a built-in speaker having a sound emitting partin which a speaker grille formation part is formed in a front portion.The built-in speaker is attached to an upper part of a front door fromthe rear side so that the sound emitting part faces forward. Moreover,to improve the sound quality, an enclosure covers the rear of the soundemitting part of the built-in speaker, thereby forming a single closedspace in cooperation with the speaker grille formation part. That is,the rear of the sound emitting part of the built-in speaker is sealed bythe enclosure.

As described above, in the conventional gaming machine, a sound emittingface of the built-in speaker, that is, the rear face of the speakergrille formation part of the sound emitting part has to be covered witha speaker box (enclosure).

According to the size of the speaker box, the characteristics of soundalso change. To be specific, the larger the speaker box is, that is, thelarger the capacity of the speaker box is, the more the characteristicsof sound improve.

Consequently, a gaming machine having a speaker box of capacity which isas large as possible to improve the characteristics of sound (soundquality) is conventionally desired.

However, the body of the conventional gaming machine is provided withboards such as a display control board for controlling display of aneffect image and gaming parts such as a ball path. In relation with thelimit of the arcade facility, and the like, the size of the gamingmachine is regulated. In a gaming machine of a limited size, a speakerbox has to be formed.

A gaming machine provided with a speaker box having capacity as large aspossible for improvement of the characteristics of sound (sound quality)is not realized or proposed at present.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine inwhich a speaker enclosing box having a large capacity can be formedunder limit of the size of the gaming machine itself.

A gaming machine of the present invention includes: a body supported byan outer frame to be attached to a game machine island in a game arcade,provided with a predetermined mechanism necessary to execute a game, andformed integrally with a speaker enclosure having an opening andenclosing a speaker; and a lid covering the opening, and the lid is fitto the speaker enclosure, thereby forming a speaker enclosing box.

Since the body and the speaker enclosure are integrally formed, thespace of the amount of the speaker enclosure (the space of the amount ofthe thickness of the speaker enclosure) in the case of forming thespeaker enclosure separately from the body can be assured, and thespeaker enclosing box (speaker box) can be increased according to theassured increase amount. Thus, the speaker enclosing box having largecapacity can be formed under limit of the size of the gaming machineitself. Since the capacity of the speaker enclosing box can beincreased, the sound quality can be improved. Since the body and thespeaker enclosure are integrally formed as described above, it is notnecessary to separately form the speaker enclosure. Consequently, thenumber of parts can be suppressed, efficiency of the assembling work ofthe gaming machine can be improved, and the cost can be reduced.Further, since the speaker enclosure is formed integrally with the body,the rigidity of the body can be increased by the speaker enclosure.

According to the present invention, the gaming machine may furtherinclude a storing tank in which gaming balls are stored. In the speakerenclosure, a box for enclosing the speaker is formed by a bottomportion, a top portion, side portions, and a rear portion, and theopening is formed so that the speaker is enclosed into the box from thesurface side of the body. The storing tank is provided on the back sideof a portion existing in the rear portion.

Since the storing tank is provided on the back side of a portionexisting in the rear portion, the storing tank is supported by the sideand bottom portions of the box of the speaker enclosure. Thus, therigidity of the body even provided with the storing tank can beimproved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention willappear more fully from the following description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gaming machine as an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the front of the gaming machineillustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view showing the front of a gaming board illustratedin FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of the gamingmachine illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front view showing the front of a main part of the bodyaccording to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the back (the rear) of the bodyaccording to the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the front of a body (in a statewhere attached parts are detached) according to the embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the back (the rear) of the bodyshown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a speaker enclosure according tothe embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a cross section showing a section of the speaker enclosureseen from the direction A of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the rear of a lid according to theembodiment;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state where a speaker is mountedin the lid illustrated in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the front of a speaker enclosurein which a speaker is attached;

FIG. 14 is a cross section illustrating a fitting portion of the lid inthe embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a fitting portion of the speakerenclosure according to the embodiment;

FIG. 16 is across section showing a section of the speaker enclosureseen from the direction B of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a speaker enclosing box accordingto the embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a cross section showing a speaker enclosing box seen from thedirection C of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19A is a diagram showing the body in a state where the lid to whichthe speaker is attached is fit in the speaker enclosure;

FIG. 19B is a diagram showing the body in a state where the lid to whichthe speaker is attached is fit in the speaker enclosure; and

FIG. 20 is a cross section showing another example of the speakerenclosing box.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Best modes for carrying out the present invention will be described moreconcretely hereinafter with reference to the drawings. The samereference numerals are designated to the same members in the attacheddrawings and repetitive description will not be given. Since the bestmodes of the invention will be described, the invention is not limitedto the modes.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gaming machine as an embodiment of thepresent invention; FIG. 2 is a front view showing the front of thegaming machine illustrated in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a front view showing thefront of a gaming board illustrated in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is an explodedperspective view showing a main part of the gaming machine illustratedin FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a front view showing the front of a main part ofthe body according to the embodiment; FIG. 6 is a perspective viewshowing the back (the rear) of the body according to the embodiment;FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the front of a body (in a statewhere attached parts are detached) according to the embodiment; FIG. 8is a perspective view showing the back (the rear) of the body shown inFIG. 7; FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a speaker enclosureaccording to the embodiment; FIG. 10 is a cross section showing asection of the speaker enclosure seen from the direction A of FIG. 9;FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the rear of a lid according to theembodiment; FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state where aspeaker is mounted in the lid illustrated in FIG. 11; FIG. 13 is aperspective view showing the front of a speaker enclosure in which aspeaker is attached; FIG. 14 is a cross section illustrating a fittingportion of the lid in the embodiment; FIG. 15 is a perspective viewshowing a fitting portion of the speaker enclosure according to theembodiment; FIG. 16 is a cross section showing a section of the speakerenclosure seen from the direction B of FIG. 15; FIG. 17 is a perspectiveview showing a speaker enclosing box according to the embodiment; FIG.18 is a cross section showing a speaker enclosing box seen from thedirection C of FIG. 17; FIG. 19A is a diagram showing the body in astate where the lid to which the speaker is attached is fit in thespeaker enclosure; FIG. 19B is a diagram showing the body in a statewhere the lid to which the speaker is attached is fit in the speakerenclosure; and FIG. 20 is a cross section showing another example of thespeaker enclosing box.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a pachinko gaming machine (gaming machine) 1has an outer frame 9 attached to a game machine island in a game arcade,a body 10 which is supported by the outer frame 9 and to which apredetermined mechanism necessary at the time of executing a game isattached, a liquid crystal display device (refer to FIG. 4) 22 as adisplay device provided on the rear side of a gaming board 21 (refer toFIGS. 2 and 3) and attached to the body 10 from the surface side of thebody 10, and a glass door 3, an upper tray portion 4, a lower trayportion 5, a cover 6, and a handle 7 which are attached to the body 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the glass door 3 and the upper trayportion 4 are formed integrally, one end an integrated openable door(openable body) 23 is swingably supported by the body 10 and the otherend is fit to the body 10. The glass door 3 visibly covers the gamingboard 21.

The upper tray portion 4 is positioned below the glass door 3 and has anupper tray 4 a in which paid-out gaming balls and gaming balls hit to agame region are stored. In a predetermined position in the upper trayportion 4, a shutter lever 8 is provided, which is operated in the caseof moving the gaming balls accumulated in the upper tray 4 a to a lowertray 5 a which will be described later and taking out the gaming ballsat the end of a game or the like.

The lower tray portion 5 positioned below the upper tray portion 4 isfixed to the body 10 and has the lower tray 5 a in which gaming ballsoverflowed from the upper tray 4 a by a payout are accumulated.

The handle 7 provided on the right side of the lower tray portion 5 isturned at the time of hitting gaming balls to a gaming region 21 a ofthe gaming board 21 via an outer rail 11 a and an inner rail 11 b (referto FIG. 3) and has a stop button (not shown) for stopping hitting ofgaming balls.

The cover 6 positioned on the upper side of the glass door 3 is fixed tothe body 10, and left and right portions 6 a and 6 b of the cover 6correspond to left and right speakers 110 and 120, respectively, (referto FIGS. 4 and 5) provided for the body 10, and sound from the speakers110 and 120 can be heard.

The liquid crystal display device 22 has a display region capable ofdisplaying an effect image (for example, animation corresponding to agaming state and other notification information).

The gaming board 21 has a gaming region 21 a which is surrounded by theouter rail 11 a and the inner rail 11 b and along which gaming balls canfall. Disposed in the gaming region 21 a are gaming members includingobstacles (not shown) such as a number of pins and pinwheels, regularwining openings 12, pass gates 13, a special wining opening 15 as avariable lining device, an outlet 16, and an electronic accessory member18 having starting winning openings 14 and 17.

In the embodiment, the gaming board 21 is made of a transparent member(translucent member), and the liquid crystal display device (LCD) 22 isvisibly attached to the body 10 from the surface side of the body 10. Inplace of the liquid crystal display device 22, display means such as aplasma display can be also used.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of the gamingmachine illustrated in FIG. 1. The same reference numerals aredesignated to components having functions similar to those in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing the front of the main part of the body,and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the back (the rear) of thebody. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the handle 7 in the configurationof the body 10 shown in FIG. 4 is eliminated.

The gaming machine will now be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, lids 410 and 420 to which the speakers 110and 120 are attached are fit to the body 10 turnably supported by theouter frame 9 to be attached to a game machine island in a game arcade,via hinges 9 a and 9 b (the details will be described later). As shownin FIGS. 4 and 6, for example, a storing tank 130 in which gaming ballsare stored is attached to the rear side of the body 10 facing theportion of the body 10 to which the speaker 120 is attached.

In the body 10, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the liquid crystal displaydevice 22 is attached in a predetermined position below the speakers 110and 120. In the body 10, retaining parts 141, 142, 143, and 144 forretaining brackets (retaining parts) 101, 102, 103, and 104 of thegaming board 21 are provided as shown in FIG. 5. Specifically, byengagement of the retaining parts 141 to 144 and the brackets 101 to 104of the gaming board 21 in the state shown in FIG. 5 (the state where theliquid crystal display device 22 is attached to the body 10), the gamingboard 21 is fixed to the body 10.

The body 10 swingably supports the openable door (the glass door 3 andthe upper tray portion 4) 23 via a hinge so that the gaming board 21 canbe seen (that is, the liquid crystal display device 22 can be seenthrough the gaming board 21).

To the body 10, as shown in FIG. 4, the cover 6 is fixed so as to coverthe speakers 110 and 120, and the lower tray portion 5 is fixed in aposition below the openable door 23.

As shown in FIG. 6, to the back side of the body 10, a control systemcase 150 is attached. The control system case 150 has an effect controlboard unit (not shown) as a component of an effect control circuit forcontrolling display of a predetermined image of the liquid crystaldisplay device 22, a main control board unit (not shown) as a componentof a main control circuit for controlling a control instruction to theeffect control circuit and a whole game, a power source unit (not shown)for generating power source voltages (such as 24V, 12V, and 5V) requiredby electronic parts to operate, and the like.

In the embodiment, predetermined mechanisms attached to the body 10 thatare necessary at the time of executing a game include, for example, thelower tray portion 5, cover 6, handle 7, gaming board 21, liquid crystaldisplay device 22, openable door 23, speakers 110 and 120, storing tank130, retaining parts 141 to 144, and control system case 150. Themechanisms (members) are just an example. Various mechanisms other thanthose mechanisms may be attached.

The gaming machine according to the present invention realizesimprovement in the sound quality at the time of producing an effectrelated with sound (sound effect).

A speaker enclosure constructing a speaker enclosing box (speaker box)will now be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the front of the body (in the statewhere the attached parts are detached) according to the embodiment, andFIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the back (the rear) of the bodyillustrated in FIG. 7.

In the body 10, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, each of a speaker enclosure310 having an opening 210 and enclosing the speaker 110, and a speakerenclosure 320 having an opening 220 and enclosing the speaker 120 isintegrally formed.

In the speaker enclosure 310, bosses (attaching parts) 201 a, 201 b, 201c, and 201 d for fixing the lid 410 which will be described later afterthe lid 410 is fit in the speaker enclosure 310 are formed around theopening 210.

Similarly, also in the speaker enclosure 320, bosses (attaching parts)202 a, 202 b, 202 c, and 202 d for fixing the lid 420 which will bedescribed later after the lid 420 is fit in the speaker enclosure 320are formed around the opening 220.

As shown in FIG. 8, bosses (attaching parts) 203 a and 203 b for fixingone side in the longitudinal direction of the storing tank 130 areformed in the portion facing the opening 210 in the speaker enclosure310, that is, on the back side of the body 10.

Similarly, bosses (attaching parts) 203 c and 203 d for fixing the otherside in the longitudinal direction of the storing tank 130 are formed ina side portion in the position facing the opening 220 in the speakerenclosure 320, that is, on the back side.

Next, paying attention to the speaker enclosure 310 in the body 10, thespeaker enclosure and the speaker enclosing box will be described.

In the speaker enclosure 310, as shown in FIG. 9, a box for enclosingthe speaker 110 is formed by a bottom portion 311, a top portion 312,side portions 313 and 314, and a rear portion 315, and the opening 210from which the speaker 110 is enclosed into the box from the surfaceside of the body 10 is formed. That is, the speaker enclosure 310 has aspace (box) in which the speaker 110 is enclosed.

With the configuration of the body 10 in which the speaker enclosurehaving the space (box) is integrally formed, the following effects (1)to (3) can be expected.

(1) Since the body 10 and the speaker enclosure 310 are integrallyformed, the space of the member of the speaker enclosure 310 (the spaceof the amount corresponding to the thickness of the member of thespeaker enclosure) in the case of forming the speaker enclosure 310separately from the body 10 can be assured. Consequently, the speakerenclosing box (speaker box) can be increased according to the assuredincreased space. Under limit of the size of the gaming machine, thespeaker enclosing box having large capacity can be formed.

(2) In the body 10, the two speaker enclosures 310 and 320 each having aspace (box) are integrally formed, so that the rigidity of the body 10can be increased by the two speaker enclosures 310 and 320 each formedto have a space (box).

(3) Since the body 10 and the two speaker enclosures 310 and 320 areintegrally formed, it is not necessary to separately form speakerenclosures. Consequently, the number of parts can be suppressed,efficiency of the assembling work of the pachinko gaming machine 1 canbe improved, and the cost can be reduced.

In the speaker enclosure 310, as shown in FIG. 9, vibration regulatingparts (ribs) 311 a, 312 a, 313 a, 314 a, and 315 a (in FIG. 9, thevibration regulating part 314 a is not shown) that regulate vibrationsof the speaker enclosure 310 are formed on the inside of the bottomportion 311, top portion 312, side portions 313 and 314, and rearportion 315, respectively. Each of the vibration regulating parts 311 a,312 a, 313 a, 314 a, and 315 a has a projection shape projected from thespeaker enclosure 310.

In the embodiment, the vibration regulating parts (ribs) 311 a, 312 a,313 a, 314 a, and 315 a are formed integrally with the speaker enclosure310.

In other words, the vibration regulating parts, the speaker enclosure310, and the body 10 are integrally formed.

FIG. 10 is a cross section showing a section of the speaker enclosure310 seen from the direction A of FIG. 9. In FIG. 10, the portionindicated by the thick line corresponds to the speaker enclosure 310.

In the example shown in FIG. 10, the bottom portion 311, top portion312, side portion 313, rear portion 315, and vibration regulating parts311 a, 312 a, 313 a, and 315 a are illustrated as separate members. Inthe embodiment, as described above, the bottom portion 311, top portion312, side portion 313 and rear portion 315, and vibration regulatingparts 311 a, 312 a, 313 a, and 315 a are integrally formed.

Since the speaker enclosure 320 has a configuration similar to that ofthe speaker enclosure 310, description of the configuration of thespeaker enclosure 320 will not be repeated.

As described above, by the configuration of the speaker enclosure inwhich the vibration regulating parts are integrally formed, thefollowing effects (1) to (4) can be expected.

(1) For example, in the speaker enclosure 310, the vibration regulatingparts 311 a, 312 a, 313 a, 314 a, and 315 a for regulating vibrations ofthe speaker enclosure 310 are formed. Consequently, unnecessaryvibrations of the speaker enclosure 310 caused by sound vibrations(residual sound vibrations) of the speaker 110 are prevented, and thesound quality can be improved.

(2) For example, since the vibration regulating parts are formed on theinside of the speaker enclosure 310, the space in the speaker enclosure310 is effectively used, unnecessary vibrations of the speaker enclosure310 caused by the sound vibrations (residual sound vibrations) of thespeaker 110 are prevented, and the sound quality can be improved.

(3) Since the projections are formed as the vibration regulating partsin, for example, the speaker enclosure 310, the rigidity of the speakerenclosure 310 can be increased by the projections.

(4) Since the vibration regulating parts and, for example, the speakerenclosure 310 are integrally formed, it is unnecessary to separatelyform the vibration regulating parts and the number of parts can besuppressed. Thus, efficiency of the assembling work of the gamingmachine can be improved, and the cost can be reduced.

In the embodiment, as already described, the storing tank 130 isprovided in each of portions existing in the positions facing theopenings 210 and 220 in the boxes of the speaker enclosures 310 and 320,that is, the back side of the rear portion.

With respect to, for example, the speaker enclosure 310, the bosses 203a and 203 b are formed in the back surface of the rear portion 315.Therefore, one side in the longitudinal direction of the storing tank130 is fixed by attaching parts such as screws. In this case, thespeaker enclosure 310 supports the storing tank 130 by the bottomportion 311 and the side portions 313 and 314.

With respect to the speaker enclosure 320 as well, in a manner similarto the case of the speaker enclosure 310, the bosses 203 c and 203 d areformed in the portions existing in the positions facing the opening 220,that is, in the rear portion. Therefore, the other side in thelongitudinal direction of the storing tank 130 is fixed by attachingmembers such as screws. In this case, the speaker enclosure 320 supportsthe storing tank 130 by the bottom portion (which corresponds to thebottom portion 311) and the side portions (which correspond to the sideportions 313 and 314).

As described above, the storing tank 130 is provided in the portionexisting in the position facing the openings 210 and 220 in the boxformed by the bottom portion, the top portion, the side portions, andthe rear portion, that is, on the back side of the rear portion, so thatthe storing tank 130 is supported by the side portions and the bottomportion in the box of the speaker enclosure. Thus, the rigidity of thebody 10 having the storing tank 130 can be improved.

The lid as a component of the speaker enclosure, that is, the lid whichis fit in the above-described speaker enclosure will now be describedwith reference to FIGS. 11 to 15.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the back of the lid 410, and FIG.12 is a perspective view showing a state where the speaker 110 ismounted on the lid 410 illustrated in FIG. 11.

The lid 410 is formed by, as shown in FIG. 11, a bottom portion 411, atop portion 412, side portions 413 and 414, and a front portion 415. Anopening (opening portion) is formed in a portion (rear portion) facingthe front portion 415. Such a lid 410 covers the opening 210 in thespeaker enclosure 310 so that the opening faces the speaker enclosure310.

A sound emitting opening 416 for emitting sound generated by the speaker110 is formed in the front portion 415 of the lid 410. The speaker 110is attached to the sound emitting opening 416 in the lid 410.

Specifically, bosses 417 a, 417 b, 417 c, and 417 d for fixing thespeaker 110 are formed in portions around the sound emitting opening 416in correspondence with attachment holes 111 a, 111 b, 111 c, and 111 d,respectively, (the attachment hole 111 d is not shown in FIG. 12) of thespeaker 110 shown in FIG. 12.

Ribs 418 a and 418 b are provided near the bosses 417 a and 417 d,respectively. In the case where the speaker 110 is placed in apredetermined position in the sound emitting opening 416 to fix thespeaker 110 in the sound emitting opening 416, the movement of thespeaker 110 is regulated by the ribs 418 a and 418 b, so that the fourbosses 417 a to 417 d and the four attachment holes 111 a to 111 d ofthe speaker 110 match with each other. Consequently, the speaker 110 canbe easily fixed to the sound emitting opening 416.

By screwing fittings such as screws to the four bosses 417 a to 417 dvia the four attachment holes 111 a to 111 d of the speaker 110, thespeaker 110 is fixed to the sound emitting opening 416 in the lid 410.FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the front of the lid 410 to whichthe speaker 110 is fixed as described above.

In the embodiment, the position of disposing the sound emitting opening416 can be changed (design can be changed) within the range that thespeaker 110 in the front portion 415 can be attached. That is, thedesign can be changed so that the sound emitting opening 416, that is,the speaker 110 is disposed in a desired position in the front portion415 in consideration of the bosses 417 a to 417 d and the ribs 418 a and418 b.

In this case, even when the design of the position of disposing thesound emitting opening 416 is changed, no influence is exerted on, forexample, the speaker enclosure 310 in which the speaker 110 is housedand the cover 6 covering the lids 410 and 420. Consequently, thedesigner can concentrate on a design change of the sound emittingopening 416, that is, only the lid.

Since, for example, the speaker 110 is attached to the sound emittingopening 416 in the lid 410 as described above, without changing thedesign of the speaker enclosure 310, the design of the position ofdisposing the speaker 110 can be easily changed by changing the designof the position of disposing only the sound emitting opening 416 in thelid 410 (design change of only the lid).

In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, vibration regulating parts(ribs) 411 a, 412 a, 413 a, 414 a, and 415 a for regulating vibrationsof the lid 410 (the vibration regulating part 414 a is not shown in FIG.11) are formed in the bottom portion 411, top portion 412, side portions413 and 414, and front portion 415 of the lid 410, respectively. Each ofthe vibration regulating parts is formed integrally with the lid 410 andhas a projection shape which projects from the lid 410.

Since the vibration regulating parts (projections) 411 a, 412 a, 413 a,414 a, and 415 a are formed in the lid 410, unnecessary vibrations ofthe lid 410 caused by sound vibrations (residual sound vibrations) ofthe speaker 110 are prevented and the sound quality can be improved.

On the outside of the side portion 413, as shown in FIG. 12, attachmentparts 419 a and 419 b which are attached in correspondence with thebosses 201 a and 201 b of the speaker enclosure 310 and to whichfittings such as screws are inserted are formed. Similarly, on theoutside of the side portion 414, attachment parts 419 c and 419 dattached in correspondence with the bosses 201 c and 201 d,respectively, of the speaker enclosure 310 are formed.

In the side portion 414, a wire leading notch 401 for connecting a wire(not shown) from the speaker 110 to a predetermined control board (forexample, a control board having a sound control circuit for generating asound signal) is formed. Although the notch 401 is formed in the centerof the side portion 414, for example, it may be formed in an arbitraryposition between the fitting parts 419 c and 419 d.

In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the fitting portion which is fitto the speaker enclosure 310 in the lid 410 is formed in a stair shape.Concretely, the tip of the fitting portion in the lid 410 has steps, andthe lower step comes into contact with the front end face of the fittingportion of the speaker enclosure 310. The step having a short distancebetween the front end face of the step in the fitting portion of the lid410 and the front portion 415 of the lid 410 is set as a lower step.

For example, the portion 412 b fit to the speaker enclosure 310, in thetop portion 412 of the lid 410 has a stair shape having a lower step 412c and a higher step 412 d. Although a portion fit to the speakerenclosure 310, in each of the side portions 413 and 414 of the lid 410is not shown in FIG. 14, the portion has a stair shape having a lowerstep and a higher step like the case of the fitting portion 412 b.

As shown in FIG. 14, a fitting portion 411 b fit to the speakerenclosure 310 in the bottom portion 411 of the lid 410 similarly has astair shape having a lower step 411 c, a step 411 d higher than the step411 c, and a step 411 e higher than the step 411 d. In this case, arecessed shape is formed by the steps 411 c, 411 d, and 411 e.

On the other hand, in the speaker enclosure 310, as shown in FIG. 15,fitting portions 311 b, 312 b, 313 b, and 314 b which fit to the lid 410in the bottom portion 311, top portion 312, and side portions 313 and314 of the speaker enclosure 310 are formed in a projected shape. FIG.16 is a cross section of a main part of the speaker enclosure 310 seenfrom the direction B of FIG. 15.

In the case where the lid 410 is fit in the speaker enclosure 310, forexample, the step 412 c in the fitting portion 412 b in the top portion412 of the lid 410 shown in FIG. 14 comes into contact with a front endface 312 c of the fitting portion 312 b in the top portion 312 of thespeaker enclosure 310 shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. The step 411 c in thefitting portion 411 b in the bottom portion 411 of the lid 410 shown inFIG. 14 comes into contact with the front end face 311 c of the fittingportion 311 b in the bottom portion 311 of the speaker enclosure 310shown in FIG. 16. The front end face 313 c of the fitting portion 313 bin the side portion 313 of the speaker enclosure 310 shown in FIG. 16comes into contact with a lower step (step 413 c shown in FIG. 11) inthe fitting portion 413 b in the side portion 413 of the lid 410.

Next, the speaker enclosing box formed when the speaker enclosure andthe lid are fit to each other will be described with reference to FIGS.17 and 18.

In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, the lid 410 (refer to FIG. 13)to which the speaker 110 is attached is fit to the speaker enclosure 310(refer to FIG. 9), thereby forming a speaker enclosing box 510. In thiscase, the lid 410 is fit to the speaker enclosure 310 so that theopening in the lid 410 faces the opening 210 in the speaker enclosure310, thereby forming the speaker enclosing box 510.

In the case where the lid 410 is fit to the speaker enclosure 310 asdescribed above, as shown in FIG. 17, the bosses 201 a, 201 b, 201 c,and 201 d of the speaker enclosure 310 match the four attachment parts419 a, 419 b, 419 c, and 419 d of the lid 410. Consequently, by screwingthe fittings such as screws to the four bosses through the fourattachment holes, the lid 410 is fixed to the speaker enclosure 310.

Moreover, in the case where the lid 410 is fit to the speaker enclosure310, as shown in FIG. 18, the tip of the fitting portion 312 b of thespeaker enclosure 310 overlaps the step 412 d in the fitting portion 412b of the lid 410.

In a manner similar to the case of the fitting portion 312 b, the tipsof the fitting portions of the side portions 313 and 314 of the speakerenclosure 310 also overlap higher steps (steps corresponding to the step412 d in the fitting portion 412 b) in the fitting portion of the sideportions 413 and 414 of the lid 410.

Further, the tip of the fitting portion 311 b of the bottom portion 311of the speaker enclosure 310 is fit to the fitting portion 411 b havingthe recessed shape in the bottom portion 411 of the lid 410, so that itnaturally overlaps the fitting portion 411 b.

FIG. 18 is a cross section showing a section of the speaker enclosingbox 510 seen from the direction C of FIG. 17.

When the fitting portion formed in a stair shape in each of the bottomportion 411, top portion 412, and side portions 413 and 414 of the lid410 is fit to the fitting portion formed in a projected shape in each ofthe bottom portion 311, top portion 312, and side portions 313 and 314of the speaker enclosure 310, the inside of the speaker enclosing box510 is sealed.

Obviously, when the lid 420 (refer to FIG. 5) to which the speaker 120is attached is fit in the speaker enclosure 320 (refer to FIG. 7), in amanner similar to the case of the speaker enclosing box 510, a speakerenclosing box 520 having high sealing performance is formed.

FIGS. 19A and 19B shows a state in which the lid 410 to which thespeaker 110 is attached and the lid 420 to which the speaker 120 isattached are fit to the body (in a state where attached parts aredetached) 10 shown in FIG. 7 (the state in which the speaker enclosingboxes 510 and 520 are formed). FIG. 19A is a front view showing thefront of the body 10, and FIG. 19B is a side view showing a side face ofthe body 10.

With the configuration of the speaker enclosing box described above, thefollowing effects (1) to (6) can be expected.

(1) Since the body 10 and the two speaker enclosures 310 and 320 areintegrally formed, the space of the amount of the speaker enclosures(the space corresponding to the thickness of the member of the speakerenclosure) in the case of forming the speaker enclosures 310 and 320separately from the body can be assured. According to the space of theassured increase amount, the speaker enclosing box (speaker box) can beincreased. Thus, a speaker enclosing box having large capacity underlimit of the size of the gaming machine itself can be formed.

(2) Since the capacity of the speaker enclosing boxes 510 and 520 can beincreased as described above, the quality of sound generated from thespeakers 110 and 120 can be improved.

(3) As described above, the fitting portion between the lid 410 and thespeaker enclosure 310 is formed in a stair shape, so that sealingperformance of the inside of the speaker enclosing box can be increased.Moreover, the speaker enclosing box 510 having large capacity can beformed under limit of the size of the gaming machine itself.

(4) Since the fitting portion of the lid 410 and the speaker enclosure310 is formed in a stair shape, the sealing performance of the speakerenclosing box when the lid is fit to the speaker enclosure can beincreased. The sound quality can be further improved.

(5) Since the lid 410 and the speaker enclosure 310 are fit to eachother by a recess and a projection, that is, the recess-shaped fittingportion of the lid 410 and the projection-shaped fitting portion of thespeaker enclosure 310, the sealing performance in the speaker enclosurebox can be further increased.

(6) When the lid 410 is fit to the speaker enclosure 310, the projectedportion and the recessed portion are fit to each other. In particular,by engagement between the recess-shaped fitting portion 411 b in the lid410 and the projection-shaped fitting portion 311 b in the speakerenclosure 310, the lid 410 is prevented from being easily tilted(dropped) forward (to the front) from the speaker enclosure 310.Consequently, the lid can be temporarily fixed to the speaker enclosure,and an assembling work (fixing) such as screwing can be performedeasily.

Although the vibration regulating parts are provided on the inside ofthe speaker enclosure and also on the inside of the lid in the foregoingembodiment, the invention is not limited to the embodiment but mayemploy the following configuration.

The vibration regulating parts may be provided on the outside of thespeaker enclosure and also on the outside of the lid.

With the configuration, unnecessary vibrations in each of the speakerenclosure and the lid caused by sound vibrations of the speaker can beregulated, so that sound quality can be improved.

In the case where the vibration regulating parts are provided on theinside of the speaker enclosure and also on the inside of the lid,however, as compared with the case of providing the vibration regulatingparts on the outside of the speaker enclosure and also on the outside ofthe lid, the vibration regulating parts do not hinder members providedon the outside of the speaker enclosing box. In addition, the space inthe speaker enclosing box can be effectively used. It is consequentlymore preferable to provide the vibration regulating parts on the insideof the speaker enclosure and on the inside of the lid.

Although the vibration regulating parts are provided for both of thespeaker enclosure and the lid in the foregoing embodiment, the inventionis not limited to the embodiment but may employ the followingconfiguration.

For example, the vibration regulating parts are provided for the speakerenclosure or the lid. In the case where the vibration regulating partsare provided for the speaker enclosure, unnecessary vibrations of thespeaker enclosure are regulated. On the other hand, in the case wherevibration regulating parts are provided for the lid, unnecessaryvibrations of the lid are regulated.

In the case where the vibration regulating parts are provided for thespeaker enclosure or the lid, as compared with the case where novibration regulating parts are provided for the speaker enclosure andthe lid, the sound quality can be improved. However, in the case ofproviding the vibration regulating parts for the speaker enclosure orthe lid, as compared with the case of providing the vibration regulatingparts for both of the speaker enclosure and the lid, the sound qualitymay be lower. Consequently, it is more preferable to provide thevibration regulating parts for both of the speaker enclosure and thelid.

Further, the speaker enclosure and the vibration regulating partsprovided for the speaker enclosure are integrally formed and the lid andthe vibration regulating parts provided for the lid are integrallyformed in the foregoing embodiment. However, the invention is notlimited to the configuration but may also employ a configuration inwhich the speaker enclosure and the vibration regulating parts areformed separately, and the lid and the vibration regulating parts areformed separately.

Further, although the fitting portion of the lid is formed in a stairshape (the lower step and the higher step) and the fitting part of thespeaker enclosure is formed in a projected shape in the foregoingembodiment, the invention is not limited to the embodiment but may beembodied as follows.

The fitting portion of the lid is formed in a projected shape and, onthe other hand, the fitting portion of the speaker enclosure is formedin a stair shape.

With the configuration, when the fitting portion (projection) of the lidand the fitting portion (stair shape) of the speaker enclosure are fitto each other, the inside of the speaker enclosing box is sealed so thatthe sound quality can be further improved.

Further, in the foregoing embodiment, the fitting portion 411 b of thelid 410 is formed so as to have a recess and the fitting portion 311 bof the speaker enclosure 310 is formed so as to have a projection.However, the invention is not limited to the configuration but mayemploy the following configuration.

The fitting portion 411 b of the lid 410 is formed so as to have aprojection, and the fitting portion 311 b of the speaker enclosure 310is formed so as to have a recess.

With the configuration, by engagement between the projection-shapedfitting portion 411 b in the lid 410 and the recess-shaped fittingportion 311 b in the speaker enclosure 310, the lid 410 is preventedfrom being easily tilted (dropped) forward (to the front) from thespeaker enclosure 310. Consequently, the lid 410 can be temporarilyfixed to the speaker enclosure 310, and an assembling work (fixing) suchas screwing can be performed easily.

Further, in the foregoing embodiment, the lid is fit to the speakerenclosure from the surface side of the body. The invention, however, isnot limited to the embodiment but may employ the followingconfiguration.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 20, a lid 610 (a hatched portion in FIG.20) is fit to the speaker enclosure 300 from the back side of the body10.

In FIG. 20, in the speaker enclosure 300, for example, the lid 410 shownin FIG. 14 and the speaker enclosure 310 shown in FIG. 15 are formedintegrally, and the rear portion 315 of the speaker enclosure 310 isopen. Projection-shaped vibration regulators for regulating vibrationsare formed in the portions corresponding to the lid 410 and the speakerenclosure 310.

Reference numerals 301, 302, and 303 denote vibration regulating parts(projections) corresponding to the vibration regulating parts 311 a, 312a, and 313 a.

On the other hand, in the lid 610, fitting portions 611 and 612 whichare fit to the speaker enclosure 300 are formed in a stair shape. Thefitting portion 612 is formed so as to have a recess. In the lid 610,vibration regulating parts 613 and 614 each having a projected shape andregulating vibrations of the lid 610 are formed. The vibrationregulating part 614 is a projection formed in the vertical direction(the direction from the fitting portion 611 to the fitting portion 612),and the vibration regulating part 613 is a projection formed in thelateral direction.

In this case as well, by fitting the lid 610 to the speaker enclosingmember 300, a speaker enclosing box 600 having high sealing performanceis formed and the sound quality can be improved.

Although the case of applying the present invention to a gaming machinein which a pachinko gaming machine itself is attached to a gaming standhas been described above, the invention is not limited to the case. Theinvention can be applied to various gaming machines such as apachinko-slot gaming machine (slot machine), a “Jankyu (a kind ofpachinko games)” gaming machine, a pinball, and various gaming machinesset in a game arcade.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specificembodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives,modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in theart. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as setforth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Variouschanges may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined in the following claims.

1. A gaming machine comprising: a body supported by an outer frame to beattached to a game machine island in a game arcade, provided with apredetermined mechanism necessary to execute a game, and formedintegrally with a speaker enclosure having an opening and enclosing aspeaker; and a lid covering the opening, wherein the lid is fit to thespeaker enclosure, thereby forming a speaker enclosing box.
 2. A gamingmachine according to claim 1, further comprising: a storing tank inwhich gaming balls are stored, wherein in the speaker enclosure, a boxfor enclosing the speaker is formed by a bottom portion, a top portion,side portions, and a rear portion, and the opening is formed so that thespeaker is enclosed into the box from the surface side of the body, andthe storing tank is provided on the back side of a portion existing inthe rear portion.